Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King. To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences. In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.
I mean, with that kind of description I knew I wanted to read this. And I was lucky enough to get my hands on an ARC.
I have had mixed feeling about Holly Black’s previous books that I have read, but I was hopeful for this one.
The Cruel Prince is the first book in what I believe to be a trilogy, The Folk of The Air. So, that makes sense that this is a set up book.
Although this book has strong “set-up” vibes, it there was still enough juice to the story to make it interesting and DANG that last scene was something.
I went into this book expecting high fantasy, and I got that to some extent, but I did not expect the level of modern times that was present. Personally, I do not enjoy high fantasy mixed with the modern times. I prefer complete wilderness without anything modern touches in it with my stories. I don’t know. I just like it seems weird to mix the two.
Despite my distaste for this, I think I could be getting a lot more in the coming books. But, I think I shall power before, because the rest of the story intrigues me. I’m looking forward to where Jude’s story goes and how her mind and ruthlessness will grow or shrink.
Before reading this, I wished the A Court Of Thorns and Roses story was in my head. I love those books, but the “evilness to love” seems like it might become very strong and I just could not get Rhys and Feyre out of my head. But, then again this could take a completely different tone in the coming books, but I think the initial reaction between two of these characters gives off the impression of “evil to lover”.
I feel like this is just the start of these character’s stories, so I feel like I can’t say how I feel about them yet. So much change can come for them and I could feel completely differently by the time this story comes to a close. Plus, I also feel like I could know them much better than I do now.
The last scene in this book was magnificent. I don’t think I’ve pictured a scene from a book so clearly in all my years of reading. It completely tied up what the whole book was trying to portray, all while be written so well, that I practically felt like I was there. Even just remembering it, I feel like I’m in the room and smelling and seeing and hearing what is happening. If I ever have enough film experience, I would love to recreate it.
When I think of this story as a whole, I think there is so much more to be told and that is what keeping my attention on this story. This book didn’t blow my mind, but I think the series as whole has the potential to. And I look forward to finding out. The Cruel Prince comes out January 2nd, 2018!
Pre-order link for convince: https://www.amazon.com/Cruel-Prince-Folk-Air/dp/0316310271/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1510366036&sr=8-1&keywords=the+cruel+prince
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